For those that have done a split WDW/Universal vacation....

[Babe the Blue Ox]

We arrive at MCO at 5pm so I don't think we could do any Disney that night. Oh, the unfairness of it all!.

You can get quite a bit done on arrival day if you drive yourself:

Here's our recent experience as an example. Flight landed at MCO at 6:10 pm.

We arrived at DHS at 7 pm and had FP+ for Star Tours (6-7), RnR (7-8) and ToT (8-9).

Then we rode Toy Story 3 times in about 30 minutes before the fireworks show started. The ride closes 45 minutes before the fireworks start, but can stay open past the posted closing time if no one is in line. They just have to clear the area 15 minutes before the show starts. This is a good time for rerides with no waiting.

Then we found a good spot for the fireworks show with about a 10 minute wait.

Next, it was off to Tower of Terror for 2 more rides. They kept the gate open about 10 minutes after the park closed, which happens occasionally.

Finally, we strolled in to the Fantasmic amphitheater for the late show with about 2 minutes to spare. The place was less than half full with the two far right sections and the three far left sections completely empty. Seating was exceptional with a less than 5 minute wait.

Not a bad night and all in less than 4 hours.

 

[Deanie1]

We find 2 full days at Universal to be perfect. I would also recommend a day, or 2/3 day at AK. You could, say do AK from opening to around 3-4pm and then hop over to DHS until closing, making your 3 FP's at DHS. I love AK and I am sure the kids will also. It is something different from DL.

 

[Planogirl]

Two days is adequate at Universal and I like the above suggestion of doing AK early and then hopping to DHS if you get hoppers. DHS won't take you a day.

 

[kelleybean]

If you are staying at HRH, their pool is amazing! So you might want to allow extra time for that if you can. Once your kids see it they are going to want to go swimming for sure!

 

[epcotty]

Go with 4 days at WDW (you don't need more with doing MK & HS even if you're at Epcot part of the time) and 2 days at Universal (you definitely need 1 day for each park there). We also like both WDW and Universal and have gone to both in recent months

 

[NewbieMouse]

Thank you all so much! It sounds a 4/2 split is the way to go, and I am beginning to realize that I should try and work at least a little EPCOT and AK in there somewhere...

You can get quite a bit done on arrival day if you drive yourself:

Here's our recent experience as an example. Flight landed at MCO at 6:10 pm.

We arrived at DHS at 7 pm and had FP+ for Star Tours (6-7), RnR (7-8) and ToT (8-9).

Then we rode Toy Story 3 times in about 30 minutes before the fireworks show started. The ride closes 45 minutes before the fireworks start, but can stay open past the posted closing time if no one is in line. They just have to clear the area 15 minutes before the show starts. This is a good time for rerides with no waiting.

Then we found a good spot for the fireworks show with about a 10 minute wait.

Next, it was off to Tower of Terror for 2 more rides. They kept the gate open about 10 minutes after the park closed, which happens occasionally.

Finally, we strolled in to the Fantasmic amphitheater for the late show with about 2 minutes to spare. The place was less than half full with the two far right sections and the three far left sections completely empty. Seating was exceptional with a less than 5 minute wait.

Not a bad night and all in less than 4 hours.

That's amazing! I think the thing I hadn't considered is that if we buy a 5- day I could use FP+ to schedule things for that arrival evening - that didn't occur to me. They don't have FP+ at DLR so that idea never even crossed my mind.

When you said that you could get quite a bit done if you drive yourself, did you mean because basically you go straight from MCO to the park you are going to? Or did you check in first? Do they charge you for parking if you haven't checked in yet?

This is great as I think we can then sneak in spoke time that evening which I hadn't thought was possible.

 

[Disneychick75]

OP, I would go for 4 WDW and 2 Uni. Make sure the Universal par of your stay is last. It's much more relaxing than Disney World with the FOTL. I think too, unless it's changed, that there is no front of the line for Harry Potter. Onsite guests at all of the Uni resorts can enter the parks 1 hour earlier than those not onsite. My advice is look at maps before you get there and then head straight for the HP rides.

 

[goofyintoronto]

FYI I havent read all the replies...

I really dont think you need more than two days at Universal! Three days there would be a waste IMO. We usually do both parks in one day. Yep, you heard me. I like universal but i just cant imagine doing two days. Last summer we actually did spend TWO days there, first time ever! and it was good. Again, two days are more than plenty.

As for parks, i'd skip HS to be honest. Esp since you've been to DL many times. You'll be severely disappointed. Either do MK twice, or MK & Epcot (personally im not a fan of AK).

 

[NewbieMouse]

Interesting that I am hearing that about HS now from several posters. I was there 20 years ago and it was MGM Studios then . DD's and my favourite ride is ToT so I will definitely go, but it sounds like I may not need to allocate the full day I thought I would....

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

Thank you all so much! It sounds a 4/2 split is the way to go, and I am beginning to realize that I should try and work at least a little EPCOT and AK in there somewhere...



That's amazing! I think the thing I hadn't considered is that if we buy a 5- day I could use FP+ to schedule things for that arrival evening - that didn't occur to me. They don't have FP+ at DLR so that idea never even crossed my mind.

When you said that you could get quite a bit done if you drive yourself, did you mean because basically you go straight from MCO to the park you are going to? Or did you check in first? Do they charge you for parking if you haven't checked in yet?

This is great as I think we can then sneak in spoke time that evening which I hadn't thought was possible.

We use Dollar Express, which allows renters to bypass the counter and go straight to the vehicle. Then we go straight to the park. The parking lot attendant can scan your magic band to verify your resort stay so you don't have to pay for parking.

A 5 day pass is only a few dollars more than a 4 day. It's well worth it if you can get in 4 or 5 hours of park time as attraction lines are generally the very shortest later at night.

Have a fun trip.

 

[NewbieMouse]

The parking lot attendant can scan your magic band to verify your resort stay so you don't have to pay for parking.

Forgive my complete ignorance here, but you get your magic band before checking in? We are coming from Canada and I'm not sure if they will send them here (?).

 

[svecchitto]

I'm trying to rack my brain it I can't remember how many days we did at universal our last trip that included it. I think only one but that was prior to the new hp expansion. This time we are only still doing one day because with our daughter being young there is so much more for her to do at Disney. But obviously the Harry Potter fan in me can't stay away I need to see all that is new! I think you will get a lot done in two days! just prioritize.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

Forgive my complete ignorance here, but you get your magic band before checking in?

Yes. The bands are mailed out a few weeks in advance if you are staying onsight.

 

[soniam]

Yes. The bands are mailed out a few weeks in advance if you are staying onsight.

Not to Canadians and other internationals. They have to pick them up at the hotel front desk.

 

[soniam]

Be sure to go both directions on Hogwart's Express. It's a different scene. We usually split the parks and do a half day at each. This actually allows us to repeat some of the better rides, like Forbidden Journey, Gringott's, Simpsons. However, we don't do any water rides, Rip Ride Rocket, or the Hulk coaster, so YMMV.

 

[NewbieMouse]

Not to Canadians and other internationals. They have to pick them up at the hotel front desk.

This was my fear!!

 

[MagicalMomma6]

Two days it is! Looks like I have some books to read

I am starting to think I should buy hoppers and just allocate a max of two days to MK. Posters are right - there is a lot of overlap with where we already go over Christmas. Pretty psyched about seeing the Country Bear Jamboree and Carousel of progress again, though - those take me waaaay back.!

If you are going in early to mid May, the crowds, especially at Universal, will be very manageable. Our kids are 12, 13, 14 and 17 and we go to Disney a couple of times per year and have annual passes for Universal. You can easily do 2 days at Universal. Don't know if you are also Star Wars fans, but Star Wars Weekends will be going on in May while you are there at Hollywood Studios. Make sure you make all Advance Dining Reservations 180 days out for any table service meals you want to do. I would suggest doing 2 days Universal, 1 Magic Kingdom, 1 Animal Kingdom day/Magic Kingdom evening-night, 1 Hollywood Studios/Magic Kingdom night, 1 Epcot. You don't want to miss Expedition Everest, Kilamanjaro Safari, Dinosaur or Festival of the Lion King (BEST show at WDW) You can look at one of the many on line WDW crowd calendars and pick your days and go from there. Touring Plans also has Universal crowd calendars.

 

[MagicalMomma6]

Interesting that I am hearing that about HS now from several posters. I was there 20 years ago and it was MGM Studios then . DD's and my favourite ride is ToT so I will definitely go, but it sounds like I may not need to allocate the full day I thought I would....

It's still a full day park for us and should be for you especially if your kids have never been

 

[bumbershoot]

Well, given that we one spent 8 days at Uni (and once spent the same amount of time at DLR, only leaving property for groceries and our Weight Watchers meetings), these "2 days is more than enough" responses are confusing me. We are big re-riders, especially when it's so easy with unlimited Express Pass. We love atmosphere and theming, and especially IOA has a ton of that.

For example, we waited in the Express Line for the Minion ride for 45 minutes.

This is pretty much THE example.

I mean, I cringe when I hear unlimited Express Pass being described as "front of the line", because there still will be a line. But it's going to be a shortER line, that's for sure! (and the same is true for Minions...if EP is 45, standby is going to be waaaaaay longer)

Sigh, I wish we could extend the trip one more day, but there's no way. And I don't want my daughters to feel ripped off with Universal - we will go back to DL every year, but Universal Harry Potter is likely a one-shot deal. Two days at Hard Rock, then!

I am guessing that you are unaware that Universal Hollywood is opening their Wizarding World in, they say, Spring of 2016?

If this is a one time deal why not 4 days Uni/2 days MK etc? Our first trip to Orlando involved 2 partial and 2 full Uni days, with 3 nights onsite. And we were yearning for more time there, hating the idea of going back to WDW.

So on check in day, we would need to arrive and get the hotel stuff over with before park opening if we wanted to be there right at park opening, especially if that;s the EE day? And will they store your luggage on checkout day?

EE day is every day. Right now it's both Wizarding World areas; in May it might just be one. They'll let you know at the hotel.

And yes, get there solidly before early entrance time to check in and stash your bags with Bell Services and walk over to the parks.

Once your kids see it they are going to want to go swimming for sure!

Hopefully not on a 2 day visit!

And the pool at Hard Rock is not a *swimming* pool. It is VERY shallow, you cannot really swim. It's a "sit in it and look cool poolside" pool. BUT you can pool hop at Uni. Again, though, probably not the best use of time on a 2 day visit.

Forgive my complete ignorance here, but you get your magic band before checking in? We are coming from Canada and I'm not sure if they will send them here (?).

You will need to check in at the resort to get your MB.

If you look at the price difference between a 4 day and 5 day ticket, you might see that going to a park the evening you arrive is worth it.

 

[Disney Khaleesi]

2 is a good starting place, 3 is better at Universal. I went to Universal before the Diagon Alley expansion and even then I could've honestly spent my entire day at Wizarding World.